“Tears You Never Showed”: Anushka Sharma’s Emotional Tribute To Virat Kohli After Test Retirement Moves Fans

May 12, 2025 : Hours after Virat Kohli stunned fans across the world with his announcement to retire from Test cricket, his wife and actor Anushka Sharma posted an emotional tribute, giving fans a glimpse into the personal battles behind the cricketing icon’s public persona.

In a heartfelt message shared on Instagram, Anushka praised Kohli not just for his records, but for his resilience, dedication, and the unseen struggles he endured through his 14-year Test career.

“They’ll talk about the records and the milestones — but I’ll remember the tears you never showed, the battles no one saw, and the unwavering love you gave this format,” wrote Anushka, capturing the emotion of the moment.

“You’ve Earned Every Bit of This Goodbye”

Anushka’s post also reflected a quiet understanding of the toll that Test cricket took on Kohli, both physically and emotionally. She wrote:

“After every Test series, you came back a little wiser, a little humbler — and watching you evolve through it all has been a privilege… Somehow, I always imagined you’d retire from international cricket in whites — but you’ve always followed your heart.”

She also shared a special photo from India’s historic 2-1 series win in Australia in 2018, a campaign where Kohli led with grit and strategic brilliance, becoming the first Indian captain to win a Test series on Australian soil.

A Career That Defined a Generation

Virat Kohli’s Test career — spanning from 2011 to 2025 — redefined the standards of Indian cricket. With 123 matches, 9,230 runs, and an average of 46.85, his journey saw dizzying highs and difficult lows:

• 30 centuries, 31 fifties, and a best of 254*
• India’s first Test series win in Australia in 2018
• Seven double centuries, a record for Test captains
• Dominant stints in Australia, England, South Africa, and India
• Periods of form slump, especially post-2020, where his average dipped to 30.72, but even then, he never lost his aura or leadership fire.

A Marriage of Steel and Sensitivity

While Kohli’s on-field aggression became iconic, Anushka’s tribute unveiled the humanity behind the hero. Fans were quick to react, praising her for the dignified message and for standing by Kohli through a journey filled with public pressure, injuries, and expectations.

The couple, who married in 2017, have often been seen supporting each other’s careers — with Kohli publicly crediting Anushka for keeping him grounded during trying phases.

Legacy Beyond Numbers

Kohli’s legacy is not just in his stats, but in the mentality he brought to the game — the fire to win abroad, the self-belief to take on the world’s best attacks, and the fitness revolution he spearheaded in Indian cricket.

From smashing 692 runs in the 2014-15 Australia tour, to his England redemption arc in 2018, to leading India to the World Test Championship final, Kohli’s Test journey has given Indian fans an era to remember.

An End, and a Beginning?

While Kohli has stepped away from Test cricket, fans still hope to see him in limited-overs formats. But for now, the cricket world bids goodbye to the ‘King of Red Ball Cricket’, and in Anushka’s words:

“You’ve earned every bit of this goodbye.”

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